Ensemble History
In November 2017, Andrew Heath organized a series of brass ensemble reading sessions aimed at playing through standard brass choir repertoire with advanced community musicians. By early 2018, the group of 15 musicians was rehearsing weekly and adopted the name Mystic Brass Ensemble, in reference to the Mystic Lakes region of Arlington. In March 2018, MBE performed its first concert, a program of Dukas, Wagner, Bach, Gabrieli, Janacek, Mahler, Strauss, and Piazzola.
Celebrating its tenth season in 2026-2027, MBE's roster of nearly thirty musicians serves the greater Boston community with classics and pops performances featuring compositions by living composers, performances with young adult soloists and acclaimed soloists, and national recognition with The American Prize in Music.
MBE maintains a robust presence on YouTube of fully mastered concert videos. The American Prize in Music selected MBE's 2025 recording The Brass Choirs of Richard Strauss as a finalist in their community bands category. MBE was also a finalist in 2024 for performances of Higgins and Strauss with soprano Janet Ross of Boston's Handel and Haydn Society.
Performing three classical concerts and one Holiday Pops concert per year, MBE's offerings range from acapella brass choir to collaborations with large woodwind and percussion sections. The ensemble meets frequently with Arlington Community Media to produce content for local news, and continually seeks opportunities to connect with artists and audiences in the region.
